Ezediniru said, “Some of us sustained varying degrees of injuries and the gunmen told us that once it is 6pm every day, we must shut our market as it is now under Oseokwodu Market. We are independent traders and we close between 9pm to 10pm daily and open at about 6:30am daily. This is a residential market that is completely outside Oseokwodu Market. Because we don’t have anyone who will talk on our behalf, he came with this intimidation.
Also speaking during the protest, the chairman of the street traders, Chief Chima Ohia, alleged that the aim of the invasion by the security agents was to intimidate the traders and merge Ajasa Market with Oseokwodu Market for the chairman to make more personal money. “We can’t be intimidated by the antics of this chairman who is desperate to make quick money before leaving office as interim chairman of Oseokwodu Market. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Obinna Ngonadi, is a no-nonsense man; he will call Umeanozie to order before he kills us with guns like he did this afternoon,” he said.
But reacting Umeanozie said, “It is Oseokwodu Market’s vigilance group that guards Ajasa Market and it is under Zone One of Oseokwodu Market.”All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.